"How to Catch Creation" at Theatre in the Round

The oldest theater in Minneapolis (Theatre in the Round, now in their 74th season) is known for classics like their annual Agatha Christie play, but they're not afraid to champion new work (like last year's world premiere musical Endometriosis: The Musical) and challenge their audience with lesser known titles, like How to Catch Creation, currently playing on their unique stage through February 8. Written by playwright Christina Anderson (Tony nominee for co-writing the book of the ambitious new original historical musical Paradise Square), How to Catch Creation premiered at Chicago's Goodman Theater in 2019 and has not previously been seen in #TCTheater. After cancelling a couple of shows last weekend in response to protest and continued violence on our streets perpetrated by federal agents, they only have five performance left. Last night, after another day of protest, the audience was much smaller than this excellent play deserves. It's a funny and relatable play, well written in a naturalistic style while combining multiple timelines, with a terrific all Black cast that brings these complex and messy characters to life. This story of Black artists, specifically Black female queer artists, is an important one to tell in this current era that attempts to silence voices such as these. Telling these stories, and consuming them, is part of the continued resistance against an administration that's trying to take away our humanity. Thanks to Theatre in the Round and this talented cast and creative team for telling this story now.

"Don't Miss Doris Hines" at History Theatre

Once again, the History Theatre has introduced me to a local historical figure I'd never heard of. Singer Doris Hines performed in Minneapolis and around the world for decades, interacting with stars like Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Della Reese but never rising to their level of fame and name recognition. She was one of those hardworking journeyWOman performers who loved to entertain people, and never stopped pursuing her dreams. The new play with music Don't Miss Doris Hines, written by The Playwrights' Center Affiliated Writer Tylie Shider, covers over three decades of her life, through which we get to know the artist and the human. See it at History Theatre in downtown St. Paul through October 12.

"Sanctuary City" at Theatre in the Round

I'm not sure it's ever happened before that Frank Theatre and Theatre in the Round have done the same show in the same season. Frank has been around for 35 years, and does risky, interesting, meaningful plays (that are sometimes a little weird and dark). Theatre in the Round, the oldest theater in Minneapolis, is known for their Agatha Christie mysteries and more classic choices, but also isn't afraid to challenge their audience with some new or lesser known work. However it happened that both theaters produced Sanctuary City within a few months of each other, it's fortunate for #TCTheater goers. This play by Polish-American playwright Martyna Majok (whose work Frank introduced us to last year with the fantastic play Ironbound) is brilliantly written and incredibly timely, as it tells the story of two teenagers who came to this country with their parents as children, and are now faced with the uncertainty of living as undocumented immigrants. Something that's even more terrifying under this administration, and has even gotten worse since Frank's production of this play just three months ago. I don't think there's a large intersection in the Venn diagram of Frank's audience and TRP's audience, so I hope more people get to see this play. There was a small crowd on the Saturday night I attended, but I hope that Theatre in the Round's audience gives this show a chance. It's a bold choice for them, and they do a wonderful job with it. If you missed Frank's production of Sanctuary City, or you want to see another interpretation of it, check it out at Theatre in the Round weekends through June 1.

"Kinky Boots" at Lyric Arts

To close out the 2023-2024 season, Lyric Arts is bringing us their second regional premiere of the season (the first was 9 to 5) - the super fun and feel good musical Kinky Boots. Last seen in the Twin Cities in 2015 (the Broadway tour), the 2013 Tony-winning musical celebrates the love of shoes and self-identity in a glorious, fun, warm-hearted way. But of course it's about more than just shoes (even if they are "the most beautiful thing in the world"). As with most musicals there's a love story at its core, but this time the love story is a friendship between two very different men who grow to admire and respect each other, encouraging each other to live up to their full potential. With this great story (based on a 2005 movie that was based on a true story) adapted to the stage by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein with score by music legend Cyndi Lauper (the first woman to win a solo Tony for best score), it's a surefire hit!* Lyric Arts has assembled a fantastic cast to ensure the most fun and heart-warming time. 

"Godspell" at Artistry

Artistry's second production in their 2023 season, coming back after a rough spell, is the 1971 musical Godspell (postponed from last fall). Written by Stephen Schwartz (who later penned a little show called Wicked) when he was in his early 20s, it tells the story of Jesus, with lyrics mostly taken from the Gospel of Matthew in the Christian Bible. Musically it's more akin to Pippin (his second musical to be produced, also in the '70s) than Wicked, and thematically and stylistically it bears some resemblance to the 1968 peace and love musical Hair. It may seem like an odd juxtaposition - the teachings of Jesus mixed with popular music and a sort of hippie group of friends, but it actually isn't. Jesus' original message of love, kindness, forgiveness, compassion, non-judgement, and community, before it was corrupted by institutional religion, is beautifully conveyed through this music-theater vehicle. Artistry has assembled a dynamite ensemble of performers, each one of them a superstar, for a joyful, fun, and moving show that's really all about love and acceptance. As radical an idea today as it was 2000 years ago.

"Analog and Vinyl" by Minneapolis Musical Theatre at the Phoenix Theater

Minneapolis Musical Theatre's latest "rare musical, well done" is a sweet and quirky little piece called Analog and Vinyl, billed as a "hipster rom-com spin on Faust." It's a smaller musical than their 2022 offerings (Hands on a Hardbody staged in a car dealership, and the not-really-a-holiday-show Striking 12). Here the band (four) outnumbers the cast (three), and it's well-staged in the intimate space at the Phoenix Theater. In addition to the classic Faustian sell-your-soul-to-the-devil dilemma, the musical also delves deep into music history and obscure references (most of which this theater nerd probably did not catch). Chalk this one up as another rarely done musical that MMT dug up brought to life in a fun, earnest, entertaining way.

"Smokey Joe's Cafe" at Lyric Arts

If you follow #TCTheater, you've probably heard about the reaction to Lyric Arts' initial casting announcement for Smokey Joe's Cafe, which historically has a mostly Black cast, and the disappointment in the community about their lack of diversity. They took that feedback and did another round of casting, bringing in more performers of color (read the full story it here). I've long been a fan of Lyric Arts, and have also called out their lack of diversity (see here and here). I know it's something they've been working on for years, and I know it's a challenge, being a theater in the suburbs that can't afford to pay much. This production stands as an example of doing the outreach to cast a wider diversity of artists, facing limitations in that, taking feedback, and making changes to improve. The addition of more BIPOC cast members can only have made this show better, to the point where it has become a big, boisterous, multi-cultural community celebration of this beloved music, really paying tribute to the legacy of Leiber and Stoller, two Jewish men who often wrote for Black artists and helped introduce them to White audiences. It was a difficult road to get to opening night, but Smokey Joe's Cafe is a success as a fun and entertaining show, as well as an example of a theater doing the work to make their show more inclusive and representative. See it at Lyric Arts in Anoka weekends through May 8.

"An Evening with Ella and Harold" at Lakeshore Players Theatre

The Queen of Jazz and one of the greatest composers of the American Songbook -  a match made in music heaven. Such is the subject of the new original play with music by Lakeshore Players Theatre. An Evening with Ella and Harold parallels the lives and stories of Ella Fitzgerald and Harold Arlen, featuring music from the 1961 album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book. Though they never met, the two were connected by music. Local playwright Alayna Jacqueline imagines a sort of conversation between them, for a lovely evening of music history and performance.

"Songs for a New World" at Artistry

There's no question we're entering into a new world, after a tumultuous year and a half that included a global pandemic we're still very much in the middle of, but starting to learn how to safely navigate; a racial reckoning; a contentious election and attempted coup; and fires, floods, and other natural disasters occurring at an alarming rate. So what better way to begin the 2021-2022 #TCTheater season (which can hopefully continue with the help of vaccine and mask requirements for many venues) than with Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World. His first produced musical from 1995 feels every bit like it was written for this specific moment. But that's great art - it takes on new meanings as our world changes. Especially when interpreted by great artists to speak to the now of it, like this incredible team at Artistry. They've expanded the cast from four to nine, expanded the typically small band to seven, and even hired three directors. Adding these additional voices to the piece only makes it richer, fuller, and more meaningful. If you feel comfortable going into a vaxxed and masked theater (and I understand if you don't; I moved at intermission to a less crowded location in the theater), go check out this beautiful and incredibly moving production, continuing through September 26. Bring your vaccine card, mask, and tissues.

"Beehive" streaming from Lakeshore Players Theatre

Lakeshore Players Theatre, the community theater of White Bear Lake, has been continuously operating since 1953. They weren't about to let a little thing like a pandemic that paused all live performances end that streak. Their virtual 67 3/4th season is now wrapping up with Beehive: the '60s Musical, recorded on stage at their gorgeous new home Hanifl Performing Arts Center. I watched it virtually with a friend that lives halfway across the country, and at the end she commented "that was swell." There's nothing new or ground-breaking about this benign jukebox musical, but it's chock full of songs that we love from the 1960s, well performed by a diverse all-female cast. That is pretty swell, and you can watch it from the safety and comfort of your own home at specific showtimes through May 16. And then mark your calendar for a special outdoor* performance of one of my favorite Sondheim musicals, Company, in July.